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For more than 50 years, Dr. Bur Schilling’s family did not fully know the heroic actions of his brother, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dean Shilling.

In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories, Bur shares the emotional story of growing up with Dean, losing him during the Vietnam War at just 19 years old, and discovering decades later that Dean had been awarded one of the military’s highest honors for bravery.

During a patrol in Vietnam, Dean reportedly drew enemy fire onto himself so the rest of his unit could escape. His family would not fully learn the details of his heroism until a box containing his medals and a letter describing his actions was rediscovered years later.

This powerful conversation explores:
• What it means to be part of a Gold Star family
• Grief, healing, and military sacrifice
• The lasting impact of Vietnam
• Why continuing to tell these stories matters

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📍 Hancock County Veterans Service Office

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In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories, we sit down with Rick Opperman, a United States Army veteran who served as a Military Police officer with the 82nd Airborne Division from 1971 to 1974.

Rick shares how his decision to join the military was shaped by personal challenges at home, and how that decision led to growth, discipline, and a lifetime of lessons.

He reflects on his experiences in basic training, jump school, and serving at Fort Bragg, along with life after the military and the importance of creating a different path for the next generation.

This is a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, and the lasting impact of military service.

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In this episode of Our Veterans, Our Stories, we feature Brian and Lara Beltz, two Navy veterans from Hancock County whose military experiences shaped not only their futures, but the life and business they built together.

Lara shares her journey into the Navy, her work as a corpsman, and her time serving in Sicily, where she worked in a high stress medical environment that left a lasting impact. She also opens up about the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, the loss of purpose many veterans experience, and the importance of finally seeking support through the VA.

Brian reflects on why he chose the Navy, the practical skills he gained through military service, and how those lessons carried directly into the trades and eventually business ownership.

Together, they talk about discipline, perseverance, mentoring young people, hiring veterans, and why connecting with the Hancock County Veterans Service Office matters.

This episode is an honest and thoughtful conversation about what service gives you, what it costs, and how veterans continue to lead long after the uniform comes off.